‘Safe Schools Lobby Day,’ Urges Senate to Pass
At Capitol, parents, educators, police call for passage of ‘Matt’s Safe School Law’
MICHIGAN SAFE SCHOOLS COALITION
For Immediate release: March 26, 2008
contact: Kevin Epling 517-290-5492
LANSING – The Michigan Safe Schools Coalition and more than 100 supporters lobbied at the State Capitol building today to urge the Senate to pass an anti-bullying measure that would protect children from harassment and ensure schools are safe places to learn. The measure is called “Matt’s Safe School Law,” named after Matt Epling, an East Lansing eighth-grader who took his own life in 2002 after a severe “Welcome to High School” hazing incident. He was 14 years old.
“We must do everything in our power to make sure our schools are safe places where our children can learn and succeed, without fear of bullying,” said Kevin Epling, Matt’s father and a spokesman for the Michigan Safe School Coalition. “Bullying is not just a rite-of-passage; it is a real and serious problem that destroys lives. My family knows firsthand about the tragic consequences of bullying. We must act now and call on our elected leaders to do their part to protect all Michigan’s children. Every day the legislature delays action more of our kids are put at risk.”
Standing with Kevin Epling and his wife Tammy were other families who have lost children to bullying including Michelle Calco who lost their daughter Kristina in 2005 and Christine Eaton who also lost her daughter, Chrystal Ann in 2003.
The “Safe Schools Day” event was co-sponsored by more than 20 organizations, including the Safe Schools Coalition, and brought over 100 parents, educators, youth and safety advocates to the Capital. “Matt’s Safe School Law” passed the House in 2007 and awaits action in the Senate. The legislation requires every school district in Michigan to adopt anti-bullying policies to protect kids within six-months of passage.
The coalition also launched a Web site and urged citizens to contact their Senator to pass “Matt’s Safe School Law” at www.mistopbullying.com.
“Nationally, nearly 1 in 6 students is a victim of bullying,” stated Col. Peter C. Munoz, director of the Michigan State Police. “Bullying is more than schoolyard antics; experience shows two-thirds of school shootings have a nexus to harassment or bullying.”
“We in the Michigan Legislature have a responsibility to ensure our children have a safe environment in which to learn and play,” said State Senator Glenn Anderson (D-Westland), original sponsor of Matt’s Safe School Law. “We must do everything in our power to give educators the tools they need to cut down on the harassment and physical harm that sometimes takes place in the classrooms and on the playgrounds. Our schools should be safe havens where children can learn and succeed in the classroom and beyond.” ###
